Finance and Operations Manager

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Finance and Operations Manager

Application Deadline: 11 March 2026

Department: Finance & Operations

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: London, UK

Reporting To: Head of Finance and Operations

Compensation: GBP 44,100 - GBP 46,100 / year

Description

Contract Type: Full-time, Permanent
Salary Band: GBP 44,100 - GBP 46,100 per annum, plus GBP 2,200 London weighting if applicable
Location: Birmingham, Glasgow, London, Liverpool, Manchester or Newcastle

Hours: 5 days per week; 9AM-5.30PM (flexible working hours available)

Start date: ASAP, as agreed with candidate

The Opportunity

The Finance and Operations Manager will provide financial expertise and support the Head of Finance & Operations (HFO) to deliver high quality financial management in budgeting, forecasting, and monthly reporting.

The role will also:
• support the HFO to ensure that legal and operational governance is delivered on time and to a high standard, including legal returns and filing, as well as ensuring internal policies and procedures meet best practice standards;
• help to ensure that the organisation is compliant in Health & Safety (H&S), General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), insurance and other operational matters;
• provide support leadership on IT function, including management of the appointed support contractors;
• support the training and development of all teams in all matters concerning finance and operations.

1. Finance

• Oversee the day-to-day financial management and cash flow of the Social Mobility Foundation (SMF) working closely with the HFO, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Operations team.
• Ensure that our accounting software is consistently up to date with the correct information.
• Work with the HFO on management information to enable the SMT and trustees to monitor progress and performance, make effective decisions and plan for the future.
• Financial information to support income development including budgets, income tracking and analysis and funder reports.
• Support the development of the annual organisational budget with the HFO, in liaison with the CEO and management team and provide support in developing departmental / project budgets as relevant.
• Manage how the organisation applies and reports on VAT.
• Alongside our appointed accountants prepare Year End accounts, end of project accounts, and work with the appointed accountants to ensure the Accounts are completed, approved, and filed on time.
• Manage and improve our financial systems and procedures, streamlining internal processes to ensure they are effective and safeguard the finances of the organisation.
• Devise and implement effective and efficient procedures, including the introduction of a purchase order system and a new ethical procurement policy.
• Maintain the payroll function of the organisation and be the lead point of contact with our external payroll provider.
• Conduct reviews and evaluations for cost-reduction opportunities.

2. Operations

• Support the Data Protection Officer (the HFO) for the organisation, in liaising with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) appropriately, ensure that all staff and volunteers are aware of and trained in the relevant Data Protection policy and procedures, and ensure that the organisation meets its Data Protection requirements.
• Support the HFO in overseeing operational matters such as insurance, H&S, buildings maintenance and asset register; work closely with the management team to ensure awareness, compliance, and procedures that are effective and efficient for staff and volunteers. Where appropriate, escalate concerns and issues to HFO.

3. Strategic Responsibilties

• Work closely with management and trustees to provide and develop financial and operational expertise; contribute appropriately to the development and management of organisational strategies, service proposals and development of the organisation.
• Lead on the appropriate understanding and training at each level of the organisation on how operational and financial systems work and support their role.
• Ensure that financial and operational policies and procedures meet the highest standards, reflect the charity's ethos effectively and support the organisation's strategic development; champion inclusivity (including Equity Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)) and sustainability (in the widest sense).
• Role model empowering and open leadership, good people management and supportive teamwork.
• Develop financial management mechanisms that minimise financial risk.

4. Line Management

• Day-to-day people management.
• Outline outcomes to be achieved, considering individual skills, capabilities, and workload to ensure a balanced distribution of work.
• Review work outputs, monitor and quality assure work.
• Manage and report on performance; deliver performance reviews.
• Identify training and development needs; employ a coaching approach, and clarify opportunities for skill enhancement and career growth.
• Recruit and induct new team members.
• Oversee the separation process for any leavers.
• Reasonably support well-being: provide a supportive work environment, and address any issues that may impact the well-being and morale of your reports.
• Coordinate with other stakeholders e.g. managers and departments to ensure smooth operations and coordination.

Please see full job description attached for more details.

Person Specification

We need someone who will demonstrate our organisational skills-based competencies - as listed below.

1. Leadership
2. Communication
3. Adaptability
4. Professionalism
5. Decision-making

Technical knowledge, understanding and experience required:

Essential:

• Part/fully qualified as an Accountant, or equivalent relevant experience
• Significant experience of working in a finance role in an organisation with a turnover of GBP 1m or more
• Hands on experience of maintaining a financial software package
• Experience of working with financial systems to prepare financial reports and management accounts
• Experience in managing the operational aspects of an organisation, including risk assessments, GDPR etc.
• Excellent knowledge and understanding of bookkeeping and general financial and accounting principles
• Numerate and able to use an accounting software package
• IT Literate, including experience of Microsoft Office software and excellent skills in using Excel and Word

Desirable:

• Experience of working in a finance role for a charity
• Experience of Accounts IQ accounting package
• Experience of preparing finance reports relating to project grants/restricted funding from a range of donors
• Knowledge of charity accounting and the Charities SORP (Statement of Recommended Practice)
• Knowledge of Salesforce CRM

Ways of working:

• Most of our work is office based, but you will spend a lot of time collaborating with other teams and clients via email, telephone and other communications channels such as Teams or Zoom.

Travel:

• Able to travel around the UK as necessary
• Some travel, to other offices and other locations, will occasionally be expected.

Please see full job description attached for more details.

Benefits

• 36/37 days (England & Wales and Scotland respectively - includes bank holidays) calculated on a pro rata basis with 3 of these days reserved for the annual end of year office closure.
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• 5% Salary sacrifice pension scheme with enhanced matching employer contributions
• Employee Assistance Programme available to staff and their family
• Flexible work options such as hybrid working, flexitime, part-time
• Regular staff team building and business planning "away days"

How to Apply

Interested candidates should apply by submitting to our application portal Pinpoint the following information by 23:59pm, on Wednesday 11th March 2026:

1) Why are you interested in the role at the Social Mobility Foundation? (max. 300 words)

2) What makes you a suitable candidate for this role, with particular reference to your previous experience? (max. 500 words)

Please note that generic applications and CV's will not be considered.Ifyou have any questions about the role, please contact the hiring manager, Tom Hardyman: tom.hardyman@socialmobility.org.uk

Interviews: First round interviews will take place week commencing 16th March 2026, with slots throughout the working day. Candidates may be asked to complete online tests or a second interview; this will be arranged after the first interviews are completed.